Lufthansa and its low-cost subsidiary Austrian Airlines will resume flights to Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in early March, ending an extended suspension triggered by regional security concerns, IRNA reported on February 23. Saeed Chalandari, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, confirmed the relaunch, with Lufthansa flights scheduled to begin on March 1 and Austrian Airlines following on March 2. The return of these carriers signals a cautious but essential step towards normalising air traffic between Iran and Europe after months of disruptions. Lufthansa extended its suspension of flights to Tehran until January 31, 2025, citing operational reasons amid ongoing Middle East tensions with Israel. Lufthansa had suspended its Tehran operations several times due to escalating regional tensions. In the wake of Iran’s attack on Israeli territory with around 300 drones and missiles on April 13 and 14, 2024, the German airline initially suspended flights until April 18, later extending this to May 9 due to safety concerns amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.<br/>
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Lufthansa (LH) is unlikely to invest in an airline not based in Europe. Speaking to Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, who was recently in Johannesburg for the Lufthansa Group Market Conference—an internal event attended by various airlines in the LH Group—Spohr explained why LH is not likely to take a stake in an airline operating outside of Europe. He states that investing in overseas airlines comes with significant obstacles. Thus, it is improbable, but not outright impossible, for Lufthansa to invest in an airline operating on other continents. "We can never say no, but regulatory and cultural reasons make it difficult to invest in airlines abroad,” said Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr. Spohr said that when investing in a carrier, airlines generally prefer investing in airline companies operating on the same continent. “Usually, airlines focus on their own continent.” Being geographically closer and more culturally aligned makes it easier for airlines to integrate and collaborate more efficiently. However, from a regulatory perspective, navigating the regulatory processes required when investing in airlines based in other parts of the world is rather complicated. In his vast airline leadership experience, Spohr believes there are few success stories involving airlines investing in carriers operating on other continents.<br/>
Air New Zealand has been a trailblazer in aviation creating new products, like the Sky Couch offering the first fully-flat bed in economy class, that have pushed the limits for long-haul travel. For an airline in the far corner of the Southern Hemisphere, the Star Alliance member continues to make noteworthy updates that influence aviation around the world. This spring, the airline will unveil its new business class cabin and become the first carrier to complete a nose-to-tail retrofit of the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft. There are also details on the airline’s next game changer: the SkyNest. This will be the first bunk bed, flat-bed product for economy class flyers on long-haul flights. It has been in the works and under certification processes for many years, and CEO Greg Foran shares an update on something that many passengers (and interested airlines) are eagerly watching.<br/>